Dr. Sun Yat-sen brings together overseas Chinese activists in Honolulu to form the Revive China Society. His intention is to revive China’s economic and moral strength and save the nation from chaos. Liu Hsiang (劉祥) is elected Chairman and Ho Kuan (何寬), Vice Chairman, in line with the society’s charter.

1895

February 21st

The Revive China Society sets up a center of operations in Hong Kong, and the society manifesto is revised.

March 16th

A council of the Revive China Society decides that Guangdong Province will serve as a starting point for revolutionary activities. The ‘White Sun in Blue Sky’ (青天白日) revolutionary flag is adopted by the society.

May 25th

Compatriots in Taiwan raise troops to fight in the war of resistance against the Japanese.

October 26th

A revolutionary uprising carried out by the Revive China Society in Guangdong Province fails.

1896

October 11th

Dr. Sun Yat-sen journeys to Great Britain to visit friends and travel around the country. In London, he is abducted by the Qing government and held prisoner in their legation.

1897

July 2nd

Dr. Sun Yat-sen travels in Europe, engaging in a concerted study of the politics and societies of different European countries. He forms the theory of the Three Principles of the People and leaves Europe.

Mid-November

Chen Shao-bai (陳少白), a member of the Revive China Society, is sent to Taiwan to expand the society’s presence there. He wins the support of Wu Wen-Siu (吳文秀), Chao Man-chao (趙滿朝) and Rong Qi-nien (容祺年), among others, and sets up a branch of the society in Taipei.

1900

September 28th

Dr. Sun Yat-sen travels from Kobe in Japan to Taiwan to direct an uprising.

October 6th

An uprising occurs in Huichou (惠州) in Guangdong Province.

1901

September 7th

The Qing government is forced to sign the humiliating Boxer Protocol by the Eight-Nation Alliance.

1903

November 4th

Huang Hsing (黃興) is among those who form the ‘Society for China’s Revival’ (華興會) in Changsha in Hunan Province.

1904

Autumn

Tsai Yuan-pei (蔡元培), with other revolutionaries, founds the ‘Restoration Society’ (光復會) in Shanghai.

1905

August 20th

The Revolutionary Alliance (中國同盟會) is founded in Tokyo. Dr. Sun Yat-sen is appointed as its leader to command future revolutionary activities.

November 26th

The Revolutionary Alliance begins publishing The People Bulletin (民報) from Tokyo. Dr. Sun Yat-sen sets forth the theory of the Three Principles of the People in the opening statement of the new publication. He declares that the realization of the theory should be the aim of the revolution.

1906

December 2nd

At an anniversary meeting for The People Bulletin in Tokyo, Dr. Sun Yat-sen gives a speech entitled “The Three Principles of the People and the Future of the Chinese People” (三民主義與中國民族之前途). He explains the theory of the People’s Livelihood and, for the first time, outlines the Five Rights Constitution (五權憲法).?

Winter

The Revolutionary Alliance draws up plans, telling its supporters around China to coordinate their revolutionary activities.

1907

December 2nd

Dr. Sun Yat-sen leads Huang Hsing and other supporters to Zhennan Pass (鎮南關) in Guanghsi Province to carry out an uprising.

1908

Autumn

The Revolutionary Alliance establishes the Nanyang branch in Singapore. The alliance better incorporates its divergent centers of operation into an integrated whole and expands its influence.

1909

December

A chapter of The Revolutionary Alliance is set up in New York.

1910

November 13th

In Penang, Malaya, Dr. Sun Yat-sen convenes a council of the alliance. It decides to begin raising funds to stage a single large-scale uprising in Guangchou (廣州).

1911

April 27th

Huang Hsing leads nearly a hundred fellow revolutionaries in an uprising in Guangchou. They manage to force their way into the residence of the viceroy of Guangdong and Guanghsi but are heavily outnumbered by opposing Qing soldiers and suffer defeat. The dead are all high-ranking members of the alliance but the effects of their bold attack reverberates around the country.

This marks the tenth uprising that Dr. Sun Yat-sen has led. It is later known as the Revolt of Yellow Flower Mound (黃花岡之役).

Previous to this, many compatriots in Taiwan show their support by giving money and effort to the revolution; like local celebrity Lin Wei-ge (林薇閣) from Dadao Cheng (大稻埕), Taipei.
Still others take more concrete action, like Xu Zan-yuan (許贊元) of Tainan and Lo Fu-hsing (羅福星) of Miaoli, who both take part in the uprising.

October 10th

In Hubei Province, a revolutionary army loyal to the cause revolts in Wuchang. Soon, other provinces are sounding to the clamor of revolution.

December 29th

Dr. Sun Yat-sen is elected President of the provisional government of the Republic of China by representatives from each of the provinces.

1912

January 1st

The Republic of China is founded. In Nanjing, Dr. Sun Yat-sen is sworn in as President.

February 2nd

The Emperor announces his abdication and the imperial system of government comes to an end.

March 11th

Dr. Sun Yat-sen, now President, promulgates the Provisional Constitution of the Republic of China.

August 25th

In Beijing, the Revolutionary Alliance and four other political parties combine to form the Kuomintang. Dr. Sun Yat-sen is elected chairman.

1913

March 20th

Acting president of the Kuomintang Song Jiao-ren is stabbed in Shanghai train station. He dies two days later.

July 12th

In Jianghsi Province, the Kuomintang launches a punitive expedition—known as the Second Revolution—in an attempt to remove President Yuan Shi-kai, in response to his unconstitutional abuses of power in government. However, after two months, the revolution ends in failure.

Incensed at Yuan Shi-kai’s continued abuses of power, crypto members of the Kuomintang in Taiwan Weng Jun-ming (翁俊明) and Du Cong-ming (杜聰明) head to Beijing undercover, plotting to poison the President.

Students in Beijing hold a patriotic campaign with the slogan “Eliminate traitors from within and resist big powers from without” (內除國賊外抗強權). The entire country responds, and people from all walks of life support it. It later becomes known as the May Fourth Movement (五四運動). The Kuomintang expresses its full support for the movement.

October 10th

The Chinese Revolutionary Party changes its name to the Kuomintang of China. It locates its headquarters in the French Concession in Shanghai.

1921

May 5th

The Military Government of the Republic of China reorganizes itself into the official government. Dr.Sun Yat-sen becomes ‘Extraordinary President’ (非常大總統).

1922

May 9th

In Shaoguan (韶關), Dr. Sun Yat-sen rallies his supporters in preparation for the Northern Expedition.

June 16th

In Guangchou, Commander-in-Chief of the Guangdong Army Chen Jiongming (陳炯明) defects, attacking Dr. Sun Yat-sen at his residence. ?The President manages to escape on a warship and directs retaliatory action, beating back Chen’s forces. Chiang Kai-shek arrives in Guangdong to help Dr. Sun Yat-sen.

1924

January 20th

The Kuomintang holds their first ever National Congress in Guangchou. A policy to work with the Soviets and accommodate the Chinese communists is formally adopted.

June 16th

In Guangchou, the Whampoa Military Acadamy, set up by the Kuomintang, holds its opening ceremony.

1925

March 12th

Dr. Sun Yat-sen dies in Beijing. Taiwanese students Hong Yan-chiu (洪炎秋), Ye Xian-yu (蘇薌雨) and other student representatives deliver an elegy to Dr. Sun Yat-sen: “Who can lead the three million Taiwanese people now that they have lost a great man? Our generation will carry on the uncompleted work of our motherland” (三百萬臺灣剛醒同胞唯先生何人領導，四十年祖國未竟事業舍我輩其誰分擔).

July 1st

The Kuomintang sets up the National Government in Guangchou.

1926

January

The Kuomintang holds its second National Congress. Chiang Kai-shek is elected to the Central Executive Committee for the first time.

July 9th

The National Revolutionary Army rallies in Guangchou in preparation for the commencement of the Northern Expedition.

1927

April 12th

In Shanghai, the Kuomintang carries out a purge, removing communist members from the party.

April 18th

The National Government relocates the capital to Nanjing.

1928

June 8th

The National Revolutionary Army recovers Beijing from control of warlords and it is announced that the Northern Expedition has been successfully completed.

October 3rd

The Kuomintang implements and begins to promote its program of political tutelage for the people (訓政綱領).

October 10th

The National Government of the Republic of China is set up. Chiang Kai-shek is sworn in as President of the National Government along with heads of the five branches of government (五院院長).

December 29th

The “White Sun in Blue Sky over Crimson Background” national flag flies in Manchuria and the country is finally wholly united.

1929

March 15th

The third Kuomintang National Congress opens in Nanjing, running until the 28th. Among the motions adopted is the Program for a Phase of Political Tutelage (訓政時期綱領).

1931

November 12th

In Nanjing, the fourth Kuomintang National Congress opens and runs until the 23rd. Motions are passed to organize a conference on national calamites and set up measures to present united resistance against aggression.

1934

February 19th

In Nanchang, Chiang Kai-shek launches the New Life Movement (新生活運動).

1935

November 12th

The fifth Kuomintang National Congress takes place in Nanjing and concludes on the 23rd. Rules for Members of the Kuomintang of China: Twelve Articles (中國國民黨黨員守則) and a motion calling for a revision of the constitution to be drafted are adopted.

1936-1982

1936

May 5th

The National Government passes the Constitutional Draft of the Republic of China, called the “May 5th Constitutional Draft” (五五憲草)。

December 12th

In Xian, Chiang Kai-shek is abducted and held by Marshal Chang Hsue-liang (張學良) and Yang Hu-cheng (楊虎城) until the 25th, when he is released. This event later becomes known as the Xian Incident.

1937

July 7th

In a Beijing suburb, the Japanese army, looking to provoke confrontation, bombards Wanping County from the Marco Polo Bridge. The Japanese then attempt to take the town. The National Army of the Republic of China puts up fierce resistance, and the first fighting in the War of Resistance Against Japan is initiated. This event is later known as the “July 7th Incident” (七七事變).

1938

March 29th

In Wuchang, the Kuomintang convenes an emergency National Congress. Guidelines on fighting the War of Resistance and national reconstruction are formulated. Chiang Kai-shek is elected Director-General of the Kuomintang, and Wang Qing-wei (汪精衛) Deputy Director-General of the Kuomintang. Motions are passed to set up a National Political Participation Council (國民參政會) and a youth organization called Three Principles of the People Youth Corps (三民主義青年團).

July 6th

The National Political Participation Council holds its first meeting in Hanko (漢口).

July 9th

The Three Principles of the People Youth Corps is formally set up. Chiang Kai-shek acts as head of the organization and Chen Cheng (陳誠) as secretary-general.

1940

April 1st

The National Government posthumously bestows the title “Founding Father of the Republic” upon Dr. Sun Yat-sen.

1941

February 10th

The Revolutionary Alliance Conference of Taiwan (台灣革命同盟會) is set up in Chongqing, under the direction of the Kuomintang. Its guiding purpose is to focus all of Taiwan’s revolutionary power to topple Japanese imperialism; restore Taiwan to glory; and unite in effort with the motherland to establish a new China based on the Three Principles of the People.

December 9th

The Republic of China officially declares war on the Axis powers of Japan, Germany and Italy, following the start of the Pacific War.

1942

January 3rd

The Allies make Chiang Kai-shek Supreme Commander of Allied Forces in the China theater, which includes Thailand and Vietnam.

1943

August1st

Chairman of the National Government Lin Sen (林森) dies.

October 10th

Chiang Kai-shek becomes Chairman of the National Government.

November 23rd

Chiang Kai-shek travels to Egypt to attend the four-day Cairo Conference. There, he meets U.S.? President Roosevelt and British Prime Minister Churchill. In early December, it is announced that upon Japan’s surrender, Taiwan, Penghu and Manchuria will be restored to the Republic of China。

In Zhangchou (漳州), Fujian Province, the Taiwan Branch of the Kuomintang affiliated directly with the party central (中央直屬臺灣黨部) is founded. Song Jun-ming (翁俊明) becomes Director and starts about conducting Taiwan operations.

1945

May 5th

The Kuomintang’s sixth National Congress takes place in Chongqing. It outlines keynotes for national reconstruction and constitutional matters after the war. Hsieh Dong-wen (謝東閔) represents Taiwan at the congress.

August 14th

Japan surrenders. On the same day, the Republic of China and the Soviet Union sign the Sino-Soviet Treaty of Friendship and Alliance.

October 25th

Taiwan is returned to the Republic of China.

1946

November 15th

The National Assembly of the Republic of China opens in Nanjing, tasked with creating a new constitution. Representatives from Taiwan include Chang Qi-lang (張七郎).

December 25th

The National Assembly of the Republic of China ratifies the new Constitution of the Republic of China.

1947

January 1st

The National Government promulgates the Constitution of the Republic of China.

February 27th

The 2/28 Incident takes place in Taipei, leading to province-wide civil disorder in Taiwan.

December 25th

The Constitution of the Republic of China comes into effect. The phase of “political tutelage” comes to an end and a constitutional era is entered.

1948

May 20th

Chiang Kai-shek and Li Tsung-jen (李宗仁) are sworn in as the first President and Vice President, respectively, of the Republic of China under the new constitution.

1949

January 21st

Chiang Kai-shek steps down as President, taking a leave of absence, in order to pursue a campaign of restoring the strength of the country. Li Tsung-jen takes over as Acting President.?

April 12th

A program to reduce land rent to 37.5 % for tenants (三七五減租) is initiated in Taiwan as part of a wider land reform drive.

December 10th

Following the government of the Republic of China, the Kuomintang relocates to Taiwan. Kuomintang Party headquarters are set up at No. 11 Zhongshan South Road.

1950

March 1st

In Taipei, Chiang Kai-shek resumes his duties as President.

July 2nd

Taiwan begins local self-rule.

August 5th

The Kuomintang Central Reform Commission is established. It begins to enforce party reform.

1952

October 10th

In Taipei, the Kuomintang holds its seventh National Congress, running until the 20th. During the congress, it is announced that a two-year period of? party reform has been completed.

1953

January 26th

The President proclaims the “Land-to-the-Tiller Program” (實施耕者有其田條例)

November 14th

President Chiang Kai-shek releases “Two Supplemental Essays on Educational and Recreational Activities under the Principle of the People’s Livelihood” (民生主義育樂兩篇補述).

1954

December 1st

The Republic of China and the United States sign a mutual defense treaty. The pact increases military cooperation between the two powers and guarantees the security of Taiwan.

1957

October 10th

In Taipei, the Kuomintang holds its eighth National Congress. It runs until the 23rd.? The congress continues Chiang Kai-shek’s tenure as Director General of the KMT and also makes Chen Cheng (陳誠) his Deputy.

1958

August 23 rd

The Communist Chinese initiate large-scale artillery bombardment of Kinmen in preparation for invasion. The government launches a strong counterattack, maintaining Taiwan’s security.

1963

October 10th

Taiwan Television Corporation begins broadcasting. Taiwan enters a new age of communication.

February 15th

The Kuomintang completes a general registration of party members.

1966

February 19th

The fourth session of the first National Assembly is held in Taipei. It runs until the 25th of February. Chiang Kai-shek is elected to a fourth term as President of the Republic of China. Yen Chia-kan (嚴家淦) is elected Vice President.

1968

September 9th

A national-nine year program of compulsory education is implemented in Taiwan.

1969

March 29th

In Taipei, the Kuomintang holds the ninth National Congress. It runs until the 9th of April. A party reform charter is adopted and a provision providing for a Vice Chairman is scrapped.

December 20th

Voting takes place simultaneously across Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu in by-elections for the National Assembly of the Free Area of the Republic of China and for Legislative Yuan legislators.

1971

October 25th

The Republic of China withdraws from the United Nations.

1972

March 21st

The National Assembly elects Chiang Kai-shek President of the Republic of China for the fifth term. Yen Chia-kan is elected Vice President.

May 29h

A session of the Kuomintang Central Standing Committee adopts a petition signed by Premier Chiang Ching-kuo to recruit more people of Taiwan provincial origin to the government. At this time, people of Taiwan provincial origin in government include: Vice Premier Hsu Ching-chung(徐慶鐘); ministers of state without portfolio Lien Cheng-tung (連震東), Lee Lien-chun (李連春) and Lee Teng-hui(李登輝); Interior Minister Lin Jin-sheng(林金生); Transport and Communications Minister Kao Yu-shu (高玉樹); Taiwan Provincial Governor, Hsieh Tung-min ( 謝東閔 ); and Taipei City Mayor, Chang Feng-Shu? (張豐緒). This is the start of a ‘localization’ drive in politics.

1973

November 12th

During the tenth Kuomingtang Central Committee, Premier Chiang Ching-kuo announces that the government has decided to complete nine important construction projects in five years. These nine projects, when an additional project to build a nuclear power plant is included, are called the ‘ten construction projects’.

1975

April 5th

President Chiang Kai-shek dies.

1976

November 12th

The eleventh National Congress of the Kuomintang is held in Taipei. It lasts for seven days. Congress members fully support Chiang Ching-kuo to become Party Chairman.

1978

March 21st

Chiang Ching-kuo becomes the sixth-term President of the Republic of China. On the following day, Hsieh Tung-min (謝東閔) is elected Vice President.

December 16th

The Republic of China and the United States break diplomatic relations.

1981

March 29th

The twelfth National Congress of the Kuomintang is held in Taipei and runs for seven days. Important resolutions passed include one called “Unify China with the Three Principles of the People”. Chiang Ching-kuo is re-elected Party Chairman.

1982

October 22nd

The Grand Alliance for Reunification of China under the Three Principles of the People (三民主義統一中國大同盟) is founded in Taipei.

1984-2006

1984

March

The seventh session of the first National Assembly is held. Chiang Ching-kuo is elected the seventh-term President of the Republic of China. Lee Tung-hui is elected Vice President.

1985

December 25th

At a meeting to mark Constitution Day, President Chiang Ching-kuo announces that in future the rules of the Constitution must be adhered to in deciding who is President, and therefore no member of his family will participate in the next presidential elections.

1986

September 28th

Non-Kuomintang members form the Democratic Progressive Party. President Chiang Ching-kuo adopts a tolerant position.

1987

July 14th

The President orders the lifting of martial law from 12am on the 15th. Simultaneously, the National Security Act comes into force. A new milestone in the development of a democratic constitutional government for the Republic of China is reached.

October 15th

Minister of the Interior Wu Po-Hsiung (吳伯雄) announces new rules allowing citizens to travel to the mainland for family visits.

1988

January 13th

Chiang Ching-kuo dies. The country goes into mourning. In line with the constitution, Vice President Lee Tung-hui takes over as President.

The Kuomintang opens its thirteenth National Congress at Linko Gymnasium, Taipei County. The following day, Lee Tung-hui is formally elected Party Chairman.

1990

February

The eighth session of the first National Assembly opens. Elections for President and Vice President are held. On February 11th, during the extraordinary session of the thirteenth Kuomintang Central Committee, Lee Tung-hui and Lee Yuan-tzu? (李元簇) are put forward as candidates to run for President and Vice President, respectively.? The two men are duly elected with the highest number of votes on March 20th and March 21st, respectively, and take up their positions on May 20th.

1991

May 1st

The Period of National Mobilization for Suppression of the Communist Rebellion is formally ended.